Keep government out of your church

South Africa’s democracy depends on the free expression of belief, thought and faith, not on undue state control of those freedoms. Through Free SA’s mission we hold that every South African has the right to live and worship in accordance with conscience, protected from government over‑reach. Recent moves by the CRL Commission to establish a Section 22 ad‐hoc committee to draft a code of conduct and regulatory mechanism for religious organisations is deeply alarming. 

We believe these developments represent a slippery slope: what begins as “self‑regulation” may become mandatory regulation, with the state gaining the power to approve, monitor or restrict religious communities, thereby eroding the constitutional right to freedom of religion and conscience.

This campaign calls on all South Africans — people of faith, of no faith, religious institutions, civil society — to raise their voices: to say that our democracy demands accountability and protection from abuse, and to say that we will not surrender our fundamental liberties to state oversight of the sacred.

  • Closed: 12 December 2025
Make your voice heard
More about the regulations
In the media

Speak up, be heard, take a stand!

Make your voice heard by submitting your comments below.

When you submit this form, your voice will become part of Free SA’s formal submission to the relevant Parliamentary committee and policy processes. Our submission will be sent to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on the 15th of December. Every submission helps strengthen our shared claim: that in South Africa, democracy is for the people, by the people, and that includes the freedom to believe, to worship and to live with conscience.

At Free SA, we stand for a country where government acts with transparency, where citizens engage meaningfully, and where no one’s faith or conscience is subject to unchecked state regulation. Join us now — let’s be heard together.

This campaign closed on 12 December 2025

More about the proposed regulations

Key concerns:

  1. State Over‑Reach into Conscience and Faith
    Although described as a “peer‐review” mechanism, the Section 22 committee is seen by many as the first step of the state regulating religion. Critics say this undermines the independence of faith communities and risks government control of doctrine, governance and worship.

  2. Threat to Constitutional Freedoms
     The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, belief, association and the right of religious communities to self‑govern. Section 15 and Section 31 safeguard these. The proposed framework appears to jeopardise those protections.

  3. One‑Size Mechanism for a Diverse Landscape
     The religious sector is enormously diverse—traditional faiths, independent ministries, churches, mosques, temples—all with different governance models, liturgies and cultures. Imposing a single code or regulatory mechanism risks undermining that diversity, forcing conformity or registration under state criteria.

  4. Existing Laws Are Sufficient — Enforcement Is the Issue
     Many organisations argue that South Africa already has laws covering fraud, assault, sexual offences, exploitation, financial wrongdoing—but the problem lies in enforcement, not drafting new regulatory frameworks.

  5. Lack of Transparency & Public Participation
    The selection of committee members, the scope of future rules, the process of consultation have been criticised for insufficient openness. There is a risk that decisions will be made behind closed doors, limiting the voice of those most affected. 

What we're advocating for

  • Full Respect for Freedom of Conscience and Religion: We call for the state to recognise the inalienable right of individuals and communities to worship (or not worship) free from state interference.

  • Voluntary, Faith‑Led Accountability Mechanisms, Not Statutory Imposition: Faith communities themselves are best placed to set ethical standards, oversight and peer‑review. If regulation is ever necessary, it must be incremental, voluntary, faith‑owned, and not contractually controlled by the state.

  • Effective Enforcement of Existing Laws: Before creating new frameworks that risk unintended consequences, we urge proper enforcement of current legislation on abuse, fraud, financial crime and child protection within religious contexts.

  • Meaningful Public & Faith‑Community Participation: Any framework must be developed with open, inclusive consultation — across all faiths and beliefs, with clarity about procedures, legal implications and community rights.

  • Safeguards Against State Encroachment: Clear, binding protections must be placed to ensure that regulations cannot be used to monitor doctrine, impose licensing, restrict worship practices, or control denominational governance.

How you can help

  1. Sign Our Online Submission Form: Add your name, your faith or no‑faith background, and your voice in saying that faith and conscience must be free. (Link to our Free SA participation form)

  2. Share Your Story or Perspective: Whether you are a worshipper, faith‑leader, or simply someone who values freedom of conscience — tell us how this issue affects you. We’ll compile anonymous submissions to strengthen our advocacy.

  3. Attend Public Consultations & Submissions: Be on the lookout for when the CRL Commission’s Section 22 committee holds meetings. Join, ask questions, demand clarity, and record your views.

  4. Stay Engaged with Free SA’s Updates: We’ll monitor any draft proposals, Parliamentary submissions, and policy developments. By staying informed, you’ll know when to speak up again.

In the media

BusinessTech Article
IOL Article
SABC News Article
Daily Voice Article

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